Chennai, June 5: K. Annamalai, the former head of the Tamil Nadu BJP, resigned from the party on Friday. He announced the formation of a new political organization, ‘We the Leaders’, during a press conference. Annamalai stated that his party would contest in the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
In a video message shared on social media, Annamalai expressed that his decision was driven by a desire to further a mission that initially inspired him to enter public life. He explained that he joined the BJP to bring about positive change in Tamil Nadu and improve people’s lives, but has now chosen a different political path.
Annamalai revealed that he had informed BJP leadership of his intention to leave the party back in December 2025. Senior leaders had requested him to remain with the party until the Tamil Nadu elections before formally stepping down.
Before making his final decision, he consulted with top BJP leaders. While expressing deep respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Annamalai noted that he had several disagreements with the BJP over the past 18 months. He reiterated his belief that the BJP should contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections independently, hinting at a coalition with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
He stated that he did not want to become a problem for the party, which led him to move forward with his new initiative. Announcing the launch of ‘We the Leaders’, Annamalai emphasized that both he and the new organization would participate in the upcoming elections.
Describing his political journey as a solitary battle, he mentioned his commitment to the identity and aspirations of Tamil Nadu while seeking to carve out a new path for himself. The former IPS officer expressed a desire to work alongside ordinary people and focus on welfare-oriented politics. He argued that national parties often fail to fully understand the sentiments and expectations of the people of Tamil Nadu.
Annamalai also criticized the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, asserting that politics should not be confined to a single family. He stated that there is no place for personality cults and dynastic politics, and he is fully committed to shifting from individual-centered politics to people-centered politics.
He claimed that several prominent figures, including superstar Rajinikanth, had urged him to join their ranks, but he decided to choose his own path. Annamalai resigned from his positions in the BJP in protest against the party’s decision to form a pre-election alliance with the AIADMK. Despite this, he participated in campaigning for the BJP during the assembly elections.
K. Annamalai, a former IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre, resigned from the Indian Police Service in 2019 before entering politics. Inspired by Prime Minister Modi, he joined the BJP in 2020 and quickly rose through the ranks. Within a year, he was appointed as the president of the Tamil Nadu BJP, becoming one of the youngest state leaders and a prominent face in the party’s expansion efforts in the state.
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